Love and Hope in the Face of Catastrophe

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A destroyed Plaza Towers Elementary School in Moore, OK

Last night, a tornado released the wrath of a fallen, groaning earth. With huge losses in life and an estimated billions of dollars in property damage, the state of Oklahoma and the people of Moore are reeling from this almost unimaginable destructive force. This horrible monster vented its anger as it slammed into this sleepy southwestern town as an unwelcome invader. It went as quickly as it came but not before bullying and tearing up the homes, neighborhoods, and schools of these unwary townspeople.

No one imagines that it could happen to them. It is unthinkable that you would be forced from your home and left out on the street. You can't believe that in a few short moments, you would be mourning the horrible loss of life or sent from your comfortable living room to an emergency room.

But, these things do happen. it seems much too often. So we have a choice to make. We can choose to react or we can choose to respond.

This is how some in our own country reacted:

And there were many more who were full of vitriole, hatred, and ridicule for both God and people hurting deeply. Many comments could not be posted on this blog, but you can type a search on your twitter account and you'll find some horrifying things that were tweeted. It really makes you wonder how atheists can have any moral leg to stand on after the kinds of responses you can read over and over in the twittersphere.

But, to be fair, I have to ask, how would I respond if it was me? My prayer is that it would be the kinds of testimonies that have already come out of this catastrophe. I would like to relate some quotes from CBS interviews taken right after the tornado. These quotes are from people who were there, survived, lost, and still looked ahead in hope. As one commentator announced, "These people are the backbone of this country."

MAN: My security isn't in the things I own. My security is in the Lord.

WOMAN: The last thing we lose in a situation like this is faith. We have to hold onto faith and trust God every moment.

MAN: You salvage what you can salvage. You thank God that he (sic) has another plan for you.

MAN: I'm a believer in Jesus, and by the grace of God, me and my children are alive, and our house is -- we can repair it.

WOMAN: We prayed that God would save our house. We also prayed that if God didn't, he would get us through, and he (sic) will.

MAN: By the grace of God, it's just amazing.

WOMAN: We know that God is good, and we know that there's people out there who are still alive, and we're gonna find 'em. (these are direct quotes recorded for us in this commentary)

I have to wonder, how can they say things like that? How can people worship their God in the face of such life-altering, heart-wrenching tragedy? You see, those who don't have a relationship with God, can't see Him move in what many would see as tragedy. Yet over and over again, those who are close to Him know they can trust Him. They understand that God never does anything outside of His character. He is a holy, loving, just, and merciful God. The only proof we ever need is the Cross of Calvary. It is in the Cross, we see and experience the greatest act of love and the greatest act of justice in all of history.

An actual picture of the mile wide tornado that hit Moore, OK

As I read these testimonies, i can only hope that I would have the same determination and attitude that these men and women have. Yet, these attitudes have been echoed by God's people through the ages. Listen to the words of a man that had everything and nearly everyone ripped from him by the same sort of unimaginable tragedy...interestingly enough partially caused by a huge wind storm:

Suddenly a powerful wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died

What was this tormented father's answer? One that sounds incredibly similar to the testimonies of God's people we just read:

Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of Yahweh. (Job 1:19, 21 HCSB)

God's love always permeates everything that happens, both good and bad. To the cynical who would dismiss and ridicule such a statement, I would appreciate them not just cursing the bad, but giving us hope in the bad. Where were they when these tragedies happened? What good can come out of hatred and riducule? How are they going to respond to tragedy that rips out the heart of humanity every day somewhere in our world?

Every one of us can choose to curse the darkness or light a light. In the face of tragedies like this, I want to willingly make a choice to hold up hope that can only found in the Light of the world, Jesus Christ. He alone can give us hope in the face of tragedy. He alone is true love incarnate.

Pastor Trey Rhodes

This is the next to last week for "Spiritual Simplicity: Doing Less. Loving More." See you Sunday morning at 10:30AM for another exciting message.

For more about what's going on at Oceanside Church, you can go to our announcement website:

www.OCAnnounce.info

To find out more about Oceanside Church, please follow this link:

www.MyOceansideChurch.com

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Love, Sin, and Divorce

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With the debate over same sex marriage raging in our country, an accusing finger is being pointed at Christians, and this time it's not the church as a whole, but specifically the Evangelical Church... and this time it seems to be all too true. For in rebuking those who have chosen an immoral lifestyle, whether hetero- or homosexual, many would say we have left ourselves wide open for criticism.

You see, many are so willing to point their fingers at others while excusing their own sin. As has been said before, brothers and sisters, these things ought not be. It is so easy, as Jesus reminded us, to point out the splinter in someone else's eye, while ignoring the 2 x 4 beam in our own eye:

For with the judgment you use, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a log in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:2-5 HCSB)

Let me be clear, sin is sin and there is no excuse for living in it. and this warning comes from the same world that typically doesn't even admit that there is such a concept as sin. Their finger points at the 21st Century church and says that we are just as guilty as anyone else because of the big "D" word... divorce. Here's what I'm saying, when the world points out our sin, we need to take notice. That means no lifestyle should be excused simply because it is prevalent.

Here is the truth. Divorce is tragic. Divorce hurts. Divorce destroys. Divorce is real. Divorce touches way too many lives in the church.

So, since that is the case, we need to know what we believe about divorce. Let's look at what the Bible tells us.

Moses told the children of Israel that they could divorce their wife (see Deuteronomy 24). This way of thinking was actually revolutionary in that culture. For the first time, instead of a woman being kicked out in the street, the man had to actually give her a reason and issue a divorce decree. This in and of itself gave the wife rights never before seen in the ancient near east. Still, the problem was not to offer a good outcome, but, according to Jesus, was the result of a hard heart (see Matthew 19:8).

Jesus went farther and said that the only reason for divorce was for adultery (see Matthew 19). This was a radical departure from His culture, and for most of the last 2 millennia has stood as the overarching reason for justifiable divorce. Remember, Jesus almost lost his step-father, Joseph, over accusations of immorality leveled against His own mother, Mary. Jesus would have known the history of his own birth and all the controversy surrounding it.

The apostle Paul, in dealing with the fledgling church, addressed the problem of being married to a lost man or woman who wanted to leave. His word was, if the unbeliever wants to leave, let them leave (See 1 Corinthians 7). The point is this, when there was a spiritual rift in the marriage that was irreconcilable, the Christian, in showing love, was not to force a lost spouse to live with them. They were given the allowance to release the unbelieving spouse.

This allowance was also seen in the Old Testament (You can read Ezra 10 for yourself here) as the men of Israel had married foreign women who were, by implication, also unbelieving and idolatrous. The Lord was so horrified at the weakness of these men to marry non-Israelite women who followed other gods that He told them to divorce their wives. The lesson was and is obvious, in this one and only case, divorce was not just allowed, but commanded. For just over 100 men, they had to release these wives because of their unlawful marriages. Yet out of all of the exiles, these men were still the exception and not the rule. When it comes to marriage and divorce percentages, out of 42,000 men only 112 or so took this drastic measure. If you're running the numbers, that is only 1/4th of one percent needed to divorce their foreign wives. Statistically, that means 99.75% of the men had remained faithful and had obeyed God. God saw these foreign marriages as unlawful and for these men, the proper solution was "divorce".

Chasing a rabbit here, but that may be where the statistic comes from that 99.99% of husbands and wives that pray together, go to church together, and serve together will stay together. I've always wondered who that .1% are, and there they are in the Bible. My point is, when it comes to people, there will always be exceptions to the rule.

Here's my point, divorce is not unpardonable as some seem to believe. For a believer, there are many times that they are more the victims of divorce rather than instigators of divorce. I have known godly women who have seen their husbands leave them, never to return, in spite of the reconciliation sought or the Christ-like love demonstrated. In defense of the believing church, statistically, those who are conservative, Bible-believing Christ followers are 35% LESS likely to divorce than the rest of society. So, Christ does make a difference (these most recent statistics are in a study researched by sociologists in 2012 and can be found here). This is a far-cry from what I have heard for two decades that the church's divorce rate is the same if not a tick higher than the rest of the world. Thank the Lord for that.

But need I remind you that our churches should be full of struggling people who have been shown love by those who have also been forgiven? The church is not a sanctuary for saints, but a hospital for sinners. Jesus forgave the woman at the well who had been divorced and re-married so many times that she had gotten sick of marriage and was living with her latest lover. So, what did she do once Jesus forgave her? She ran back to her friends (probably with similar lifestyles) and brought them to Jesus so they could experience the same love and forgiveness the Son of God had offered her (Look at John 4:1-30). So here's what I'm saying, divorce numbers, from the earliest times of the Christian faith, are still probably skewed toward more divorce in the church. Why? Because of the example and command of Jesus to bring broken people to Him for healing of their souls. In our defense, we are ministering in the name and the ways of Jesus by offering forgiveness, love, and acceptance for all who will come.

So Christians, we must love the hurting, the downtrodden, and the broken. We must also live as those who are different from our culture holding up the standards of godliness and morality our Lord and His word so clearly gave us. That is how we can love those who have chosen what is often a precarious and destructive path. We let them see a better way in our lives. It is the way of 1 Corinthians 12:31. That is why our example and lifestyle is so important in this world. It is the way of love. Love for our spouses, our children, our families, our neighbors, our fellow workers and students, and even our enemies. Christians, love. Love is supreme. It is God who demonstrated his own love toward us in that while we were still His enemies, He loved us (Romans 5:10). It is that kind of love that will make a difference in the world. Are you prepared for all that Jesus can do through you once you authentically, deep down love others as Christ does?

Let me close with this, regardless of your past, you can choose today to live free of the destructiveness of sin's ways and choose to follow Christ's way. Jesus Christ offers that same love. Jesus wants you to have hope, peace, and forgiveness, and grace, no matter who you are, nor what you've done. You are the one whom God loves... and there is no exception to that rule.

Pastor Trey Rhodes

 

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What is the 5k Run or Dye All About? A Hindu Celebration

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Run or Dye... I was intrigued. I love color and fun. Looked like both to me. From what I have seen on FaceBook and on the internet in general, I thought to myself, "Looks like a great time." If I could run, I might even register. Soon, I began to see more and more of Run or Dye promotions in cities around the US. Finally, earlier this morning, I saw this promotion on my FaceBook Newsfeed:

So, I clicked on the link to see what it was all about. Hmmmm... looks innocent enough. In my reading through the site, I clicked on the link "BLOG," and here is what I found:

It's no secret that Run or Dye is the world's most colorful fun run. All around the country, Dye Runners are coming together to celebrate life, friendship, and fun in a spectacular fusion of fitness and color.

But did you know that Run or Dye has roots in ancient India?

For centuries, Hindus have held a springtime celebration called Holi. Its exact origins are unknown, but it's believed to have been around since at least 300 BC.

Perhaps the most memorable aspect of Holi is the Festival of Colors. During the Festival of Colors, people blast each other with powdered cornstarch dye (the same stuff we use at our races!) as a symbol of joy and goodness, and a reminder to throw worries to the wind. Not surprisingly, the Festival of Colors is extremely popular in countries with large Hindu populations, such as India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. But even in the United States, Hindus and non-Hindus alike come together to celebrate the Festival of Colors... (More Here including a video promotion of Holi).

While I have no problem with celebrations which allow any religion to freely practice theirs, I just want to be clear, that this isn't just a fun day, it's a relgious holiday. It's celebrated by the followers of Vishnu to honor the son of their king of demons, Hiranyakashipu. Here is an explanation I discovered:

Vishnu

According to this belief, Hiranyakashipu's own son, Prahlada, was a devotee of Vishnu. In spite of several threats from Hiranyakashipu, Prahlada continued offering prayers to Vishnu. He was poisoned by Hiranyakashipu, but the poison turned to nectar in his mouth. He was ordered to be trampled by elephants yet remained unharmed. He was put in a room with hungry, venomous snakes and survived. All of Hiranyakashipu's attempts to kill his son failed. Finally, he ordered young Prahlada to sit on a pyre in the lap of Holika, Hiranyakashipu's demoness sister, who also could not die because she had a boon preventing her from being burned by fire. Prahlada readily accepted his father's orders, and prayed to Lord Vishnu to keep him safe. When the fire started, everyone watched in amazement as Holika burnt to death, while Prahlada survived unharmed. The salvation of Prahlada and burning of Holika is celebrated as Holi. (More here from the BBC).

So, before participating in any festival, no matter how fun it looks, I have once again been reminded of the importance of checking things out. As Christ followers, we should be vigilant in our understanding of what we choose to be involved in.

Interestingly enough, this is supposed to be a celebration for unity in a religion that not only practices but typically celebrates division and caste systems. During this one time a year festival, the lowest caste (the untouchables) can be in the presence of the highest caste (the Brahmans) without shame or fear of repercussions.

Huh? One time a year? That's a far cry from the words of Paul who wrote clearly that we are to have no divisions:

So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free people, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28, Good News Bible)

Then, when the Corinthians were trying to separate into their little groups to worship the Lord as rich, poor, young, old, and other man-made distinctions, he upbraided them by writing these words:

that there be no divisions among you, and that you be united with the same understanding and the same conviction. For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by members of Chloe’s household, that there is rivalry among you. Is Christ divided? (1 Corinthians 1:10, 11, 13 HCSB)

So, as I think of what we as Christ followers are called to be, I am reminded once again of the words of Jesus who told us clearly to love one another as He has loved us (John 15:9). While Holi celebrates one day a year of love for everyone, Christ followers, in distinct contrast to a caste system which divides, live a life of love that changes everything about us as well as how we daily respond to those around us. I Corinthians 13 reminds us that no matter how religious we are or how busy we are or even how much we sacrifice, if we don't love, we are wasting our lives. God is love. Everything that happens to us has to be placed against the backdrop of God's love. What does that kind of love look like? The Cross!

So, next time you want to take part in something that makes you feel better about yourself, think about how much God loves you. It is because of His love that we can now love one another. That is reason to celebrate!

Pastor Trey Rhodes

For a comparison chart of Christianity to Hinduism, feel free to look at and download this Interfaith Evangelism Comparitive Belief Chart PDF from NAMB.

Here's What's Happening at Oceanside Church...

New Sermon Series - Spiritual Simplicity Every Sunday through June 2 at 10:30AM. Invite your friends, neighbors, fellow students, workmates, and family to hear these life changing messages at Mount Pleasant's best kept church secret, Oceanside. Connected people connect people!

Church Online Podcast Ministry - You can listen to Oceanside's messages 24/7 on the podcast. Also, a great way to introduce your friends to Oceanside Church. Thanks to out incredible AV ministers, the message is uploaded by Sunday afternoon. Join the nearly 6000 people who have listened to Oceanside's Church Online.

Exponential 2013 - Join Oceanside Church for a FREE Live Webcast from Orlando. We were just contacted and asked to simulcast Exponential 2013 for them at Oceanside Church.

The webcast features 25+ national leaders including Francis Chan, Rick Warren, Craig Groeschel, Randy Frazee, Dave Rhodes, and many, many more. Come when you can and experience this incredible opportunity together. It's the second best thing to actually being in Orlando.

Here's the Schedule:

• Tuesday: 1:00 PM to 5;30PM
• Wednesday: 8:45AM to 5:30PM (Lunch provided, just let us know you'll be there)
• Thursday: 10:15AM to 12 Noon

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Christmas Is a Time for Giving

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Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15 HCSB)

Christmas is about giving. I heard that on a Hallmark movie and got all offended. My first thought was, "Christmas is about Jesus." And it is. But that happened because God gave. Christmas is God giving us His gift, Jesus Christ. that gift is so wonderful that words cannot describe it. Christmas is about giving the gift of our lives and hearts to Jesus. Christmas is about giving the gift of our love that has been "shed abroad in our hearts to others." Christmas is for giving.

You see, Christmas started in the heart of God before the world began. We know that Jesus was "the lamb slain before the foundation of the world." Why would He do that? Why would He choose to be slain before we were even in the picture. It was so He could be our indescribable gift. It was because of love. Love always gives. God is love. Christmas is for giving.

You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. It is our giving that demonstrates where our heart is. Jesus said, wherever your treasure is there will your heart be also. You want to know what you love? Look at your bank statement. Look who you give to. Do you remember the last time you gave sacrificially? To others? To some who cannot reciprocate? To God's work? It is at Christmas that we should take stock of our gifts and our giving hearts. Christmas is for giving.

Giving to God's Work

Through Reality youth ministry, Sunday morning worship, and other ministries such as ScareMare, Oceanside Church has seen lives transformed. There were nearly as many saved this year as we averaged on Sunday morning.

Because of that, it seems that we should be packed out. As a matter of fact, that has happened several times. But, this year, some have transferred their service by ministering in other churches, while others have moved away. In addition, many are still immature in their faith and as we disciple them, they are continually growing into fully mature Christ-followers and learning the importance of their church attendance. I'm excited about what God is doing!

Many that are coming to faith have a deep desire to follow Jesus as Lord. Oceanside has been baptizing outside for several months. Recently, we planned to do the same thing, but because the cold, rainy weather, we decided to move it inside. Due to an oversight, the couple being baptized was not informed of the change. They came to church that morning fully thinking they would be baptized outside in the inclement weather. And they still wanted to be baptized! Talk about commitment!

Here is some of what has happened at Oceanside in 2012:

Baptizing one of many at Oceanside this year.

• 18 were saved at ScareMare.
• Needy families in foreign counties were given goats and sheep to provide them milk, offspring to sell and eat, as well as provide ongoing economic help.
• Indigenous Evangelists were supplied with training and materials to aid them in reaching those without Christ.
• 1000's of new East Cooper residents were contacted and prayed for through our phone ministry.
• Helped Pastor Orhan in Samsun, Turkey reach people with the Gospel
• Supported missions worldwide.
• Trained and prepared our young people to stand up for Christ in school and with friends.
• Had a Christian concert for our Students
• Led our first Muslim to Christ (We'll tell you more in a video testimony, later).
• Adults and youth were saved and baptized
• The Spirit of Christ has moved mightily in worship service after worship service

Without you this could not have happened. The Bible tells is this with great clarity:


They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service. (2 Corinthians 9:13)

God gets the glory when we are faithful to the Gospel by being generous to His work.

Your Gifts Make an Impact

While I know there are many ministries that are doing the Lord's work, there are none that are able to reach more people with such a small amount. That means in two ways, we are able to do more with less. Here's the ratio of people that make decisions for Christ to members:

• In the average church in the U.S. - It fakes 12 people to reach 1.
• At Oceanside Church - It only takes 1.5 people to reach 1.

Recently I read on twitter that one ministry shared what had happened at their church on Sunday. They reported:


"This week, 128 people served 933 people and we saw i person saved." Interestingly enough, In that same week, Oceanside had 50 people introduce 25 to Christ.

We are thankful for every person that comes to Christ, no matter what it takes, but I have to ask, in this time of shrinking financial resources, shouldn't you commit to invest in God's work through Oceanside Church? We are reaching people as never before with your generous and sacrificial gifts. Oceanside is committed to being both frugal and faithful as we reach more for Christ in 2013.


We are asking you to again make that sacrificial end of the year offering to our Lord in order to see His kingdom continue to expand. Let me say, without you, it does not happen. Missionaries like Pastor Orhan in Turkey might not get the supplies needed to reach lost Muslims. Poor, international families could go without much needed goats and chickens. Ministry would have to be scaled back here in Mount Pleasant. Evangelists and missionaries might not have what they need to continue their work. That could be if you choose to ignore our offering. I know that is not you.


God's people have always been the ones who have spearheaded the ministry here. We are not supported by some outside entity that helps us with our buildings, ministries, or evangelism. It happens because of you.


Oceanside's Christmas offering takes place this Sunday just before Christmas. Our staff is giving fewer presents, doing fewer things, eating out less, and forgoing our gifts in order to give this year. Personally, we are sacrificing. That's how much we believe in Oceanside Church's ministry and vision. So, we are asking you to come ready to give sacrificially this Sunday, December 23rd. We will give our treasures to Jesus at church just as the wisemen did on that first Christmas 2000 years ago. Christmas is a time for giving.


Will you choose to participate in our Christmas Offering this year and make a difference in someone's life for eternity?


Christmas is a time for giving.

Building God's Kingdom together,

Pastor Trey Rhodes.

How Can You give to Oceanside Church?

• Giving Kiosk at Oceanside Church with your debit or credit card
• Online through Paypal (go to www.MyOceansideChurch.com and follow the link to online giving)
• By check or cash at the worship service on Sunday, December 23rd.
• By mail through sending your gift to 1728 Rifle Range Rd., Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

All gifts are tax deductible. Oceanside Church is a 501(c)3 non-profit ministry

Remember there is no gift too small nor unimportant. Your gift matters!

 

 

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